Chess Books at Auction

**Neil Frarey** · Thursday, 12th October, 2017, 06:18 PM

Re: Chess Books at Auction

Originally posted by Wayne Komer View Post

Chess Books at Auction

October 12, 2017

One-of-a-kind chess items often come up for auction. I thought it might be interesting to ChessTalk members to see what has appeared recently.

Chessworld. New York, 1964. Vol.1, nos. 1. Editor and publisher, Frank Brady. This was Bobby Fischer's personal copy stamped Bobby Fischer on p.39. From the estate of Bobby Fischer. A great association item. Ex Libris David DeLucia.

Fischer wrote, for this issue, an article entitled "The Ten Greatest Masters in History".

0 bids

For a sec there I thought copyright infring.! But my copy dated 1865 is Vol. 1 of The Chess World ...is not Chessworld. Interesting to note that both Vol. 1s feature the greatest players of their respective times. My first edition of The Chess World Vol. 1 is all about Paul Morphy ...whom Fischer prolly mentions in his article in that Vol.1, thereby cleverly morphing (ahem) both Vol. 1s into one Vol. 1 as if to collapse time itself ... meta stuff indeed!

Not so?

**Mathieu Cloutier** · Thursday, 12th October, 2017, 07:53 PM

Re: Chess Books at Auction

Originally posted by Wayne Komer View Post

a) Bobby Fischer manuscript draft of letter to Osama bin Laden – Rare

Starting bid $7,500 US

Text: Dear Mr. Osama bin Laden. Urgently like to get in direct contact with you regarding the U.S. government sanctioned mega-robbery of all his memorabilia and other belonging by the Bekins Moving and Storage Co in Pasadena, California collusion with Mr. Bob Ellsworth

0 bids

0 bids... let's keep it that way.

**Wayne Komer** · Friday, 13th October, 2017, 12:05 AM

Re: Chess Books at Auction

Chess Books at Auction

October 12, 2017

1. Some more items auctioned from the DeLucia Collection:

1. a) Rare Original Chigorin written and signed Postcard

Starting price $3000 US

Rare original written and signed postcard by M. Chigorin. St. Petersburg
In Russian and dated December, 1905

0 bids

1. b) J.R. Capablanca signed check. From his estate

Starting price $400 US

J.R. Capablanca signed check. From his estate. Great for framing.

Check dated March 4, 1942 drawn on The Chase National Bank of New York for $85, and payable to the Edgar A. Levy Management Corp.

Sold for $400 US (1 bid)

2. Items auctioned from the collection of Edward Winter

2. a) 1950 chess tournament book signed by all 20 participating masters

Starting bid $2350 US

1950 chess tournament book signed by all 20 participating masters

"Wereldschaaktoernooi Amsterdam 1950" by M. Euwe and L. Prins (Lochem, 1951) signed by all 20 participants in this major chess tournament:
van der Berg, Donner, Euwe, Foltys, Gligoric, Golombek, Gudmundsson, O'Kelly, Kottnauer, Kramer, Najdorf, Pilnik, Pirc, Reshevsky, Rossolimo, van Scheltinga, Stahlberg, Szabados, Tartakower and Trifunovic.

A 280-page hardback in Dutch, in very good condition. The inside front cover has a handwritten inscription by a previous owner, Rolf Uwe Plura.

Auction still in progress

2. b) Chess book signed by 8 masters, incl. Fischer, Keres, Petrosian, Smyslov and Tal

Starting price $2150

A chess book signed by Benko, Fischer, Gligoric, Keres, Olafsson, Petrosian, Smyslov and Tal:

"Kandidatenturnier für Schachweltmeisterschaft" by S. Gligoric and V. Ragozin/Ragosin (Belgrade, 1960).

In German. A 320-page hardback in good condition, although the cover is worn (especially on the corners).
The eight participants in the world championship candidates' tournament in Bled, Zagreb and Belgrade all signed this book on the event. Fischer signed it on the front fly-leaf (which also has the name and address of a previous owner, Alan Benson, whose signed book label is on the inside front cover).

The book has eight full-page photographs of the participants, and Benko, Gligoric, Keres, Olafsson, Petrosian, Smyslov and Tal - though not Fischer - signed their respective photographs (the pages of which already featured a printed signature).

Tal signed the book a second time, on page 153, at the end of a combinational win against Fischer.

Auction still in progress

2. c) Signed by Botvinnik, Euwe, Keres, Reshevsky and Smyslov: 1948 chess championship

Starting price $2000 US

1948 world championship match-tournament book signed by all five participants: Mikhail Botvinnik, Max Euwe, Paul Keres, Samuel Reshevsky and Vassily Smyslov.

"Wereld-Kampioenschap Schaken 1948, 's-Gravenhage - Moskou" by Max Euwe, published in the Netherlands in 1948.

A 252-page hardback in fine condition.

Auction still in progress

2. d) My Chess Career by J.R. Capablanca (inscribed to "my distinguished friend")

Starting price $1785

Inscribed, signed and dated by the world chess champion José Raúl Capablanca. A presentation copy to Dr Ernest Graham-Little.

Capablanca's 1920 autobiography "My Chess Career".

The book's frontispiece, a photograph of Capablanca, is protected by a translucent interleaf. The inscription to Graham-Little ("my distinguished friend") is on the first front fly-leaf.

Auction is still in progress

2. e) Fine chess book signed by 16 masters (including Bronstein, Geller and Smyslov)

Starting price $175 US

Very scarce special edition signed by players in the Alexander Memorial Tournament, Teesside, September 1975 - Bronstein, Geller, Gheorghiu, Golombek, Hartston, Hort, Hübner, Kavalek, Keene, Lombardy, Miles, Olafsson, Sax, Smyslov, Stean and Timman.

"The best games of C.H.O'D. Alexander" by Harry Golombek and Bill Hartston (Oxford University Press, 1976). A 167-page hardback with dust-jacket. Very good condition.

Auction still in progress

_________

Why does a fervent collector sell off part of his collection? They may be duplicates. He may be downsizing or getting old. Your heirs will simply not be able to sell the books after your demise profitably because they lack the expertise. He may need the money or has run out of space. You pick.

**Wayne Komer** · Friday, 20th October, 2017, 10:11 PM

Re: Chess Books at Auction

Chess Books at Auction

October 20, 2017

(Wikipedia) – Wilhelm Steinitz was the main chess correspondent of The Field (in London) from 1873 to 1882, and used this to present his ideas about chess strategy. In 1885 he founded the International Chess Magazine in New York and edited it until 1891. In addition to game commentaries and blow-by-blow accounts of the negotiations leading to his 1886 match with Johann Zukertort and of the American Chess Congress' world championship project, he wrote a long series of articles about Paul Morphy, who had died in 1884. He wrote the book of the 1889 New York tournament, in which he commented on all of the games 432 of them, and in 1889 he published a textbook, The Modern Chess Instructor.

Concerning the latter - the library descriptions of the two parts of that work are:

The modern chess instructor / W. Steinitz

Part I: Containing elementary explanations for beginners, the description of notations, a telegraphic chess code, an essay on the principles of the game and analyses of six popular openings, with illustrative games to each opening, etc., etc., etc. The appendix contains the games of the contest between Messrs. Steinitz and Tschigorin played at Havana in january and february, 1889 with annotations by the author
1889
New York [etc.]: Putnam
XLI, 193 pp

The modern chess instructor / W. Steinitz

Part II, section 1: Containing the analyses of the Ponziani opening and the Giuoco piano opening, with illustrative games and notes
cop. 1895
New York [etc.]: Steinitz, Chess Syndicate
VIII, 64 pp

Michael Clapham has an exceedingly interesting website about chess literature. In an article on the Chess Instructor, Part II he says:

“The value of the scarce Part II of Steinitz's The Modern Chess Instructor, New York 1895, scaled new heights recently when a copy sold for €831 at the LSAK chess book auction earlier this month.

While the value of many collectable chess books has stagnated recently, the price of this particular item has risen inexorably over the last twenty years or so.

This is almost entirely due to the book's rarity, as this is simply a 64 page paperback openings book, (usually given a wide berth by collectors), covering the, less than exciting, Ponziani opening and the Giuoco Piano. I do not have this book, I should make the effort to acquire the Olms reprint, but, no doubt, Steinitz's explanation of these openings is of some significance, especially if he continues the exposition of his theories on the game, which constitutes an important element of The Modern Chess Instructor, Part I, New York 1889.

Dale Brandreth had a copy for sale, bound with Part I, in his List TMB-59 issued in July 2001. The price was $275 compared with $75 for Part I only and Brandreth stated "most copies were destroyed in a warehouse fire. Part II is exceedingly scarce".”

https://chessbookchats.blogspot.ca/2...art-ii-by.html

The LSAK/Lund chess book auction has been mentioned before on this forum:

http://forum.chesstalk.com/showthrea...ion#post101715

831 euro is equivalent to $1235 CAN.

After reading Michael’s comments above, I purchased a copy of the Olms reprint of the Modern Chess Instructor (it has both Parts I and II) and also the new Russell Enterprises edition, in paperback

Andy Soltis says of this latter edition in his preface:

This 21st century edition has converted the archaic English descriptive notation to algebraic and reformatted the text so that it conforms to the expectations of the 21st century chessplayer. The Modern Chess Instructor’s rare second part, published in 1895, has also been added. The result is a genuine treasure trove of original ideas coupled with exposition of the foundation of modern chess theory. Every chessplayer will find The Modern Chess Instructor enjoyable and instructive, a journey back to the theoretical roots of modern chess.

**Wayne Komer** · Tuesday, 21st November, 2017, 02:25 AM

Re: Chess Books at Auction

Chess Books at Auction

November 21, 2017

While I had intended to describe chess books that were up at auction, this thread will also include chess pieces and memorabilia.

Rare Man Ray Chess Set Heads to Auction

Crafted for his wife, Julia, the set goes on the block at Villa Grisebach in Berlin on November 30.

BY ANGELA M. H. SCHUSTER ON NOVEMBER 20, 2017

Surrealist Man Ray developed a passion for chess after being introduced to the game in the early 1920s by fellow artist and chess fanatic Marcel Duchamp. The duo famously played chess on the roof of the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées in Paris for a scene in René Clair’s 1924 film, Entr’acte.

And while Man Ray never rose to Duchamp’s level of play—remaining in the latter’s words “a wood pusher”—his love of the game would eventually take shape in a series of chess sets designed by the artist. Initially, his sets were assemblages of found objects; in time, however, they became works of art that were spare in design, with each piece reduced to an elemental form.

While several of Man Ray’s chess-set designs were put into production—in editions of two to 50 with proceeds from their sale benefiting the American Chess Foundation—the one on offer at Villa Grisebach in Berlin on November 30 is unique, having been crafted in 1964 for his wife, Juliet. The set’s 32 ivory pieces—half of which have been dyed red—come in a felt-lined wooden case and carry an estimate of $58,900 to $82,400.

According to the lot notes, “In the present set, the cone-shaped king and queen are each topped with a sphere. Small notches around the top of the otherwise unbroken cylindrical rook suggest castle ramparts. The clean, curved square form of the knight is punctured by a perfect circular hole, and the bishop’s smooth shape is notched; spheres represent the pawns. These smooth forms are reminiscent of sculptures by his friend Brancusi. ”

http://robbreport.com/shelter/auctio...s-set-2761559/

_______

See also:

Morphy’s Pocket Watch

http://forum.chesstalk.com/showthrea...phy#post112605

Fischer-Spassky Match Board

http://forum.chesstalk.com/showthrea...ard#post109070

**Gordon Ritchie** · Tuesday, 21st November, 2017, 12:52 PM

Re: Chess Books at Auction

Morphy's watch. Very dangerous. See the story of this title in the "Pawn to Infinity" collection of short stories.

**Wayne Komer** · Sunday, 26th November, 2017, 12:24 AM

Re: Chess Books at Auction

Chess Books at Auction

November 25, 2017

It is a sad fact that when a chess master passes on, his books, score sheets and other memorabilia often go for sale or auction.

I have bought Russian chess books, many of them signed, from auctions by The Russian Chess House. They also had photographs, chess sets, runs of Soviet magazines, stamps, certificates and medals for sale.

I mention this because grandmaster William Lombardy passed away on October 13, 2017 in straightened circumstances.

http://forum.chesstalk.com/showthrea...rdy#post118953

Now, many items of personal memorabilia are up for auction. These are:

1) The tournament book for the 1957 World Junior Chess Championship signed by Lombardy for US $1850

2) Chess Grand Master William Lombardy's Official Score Sheet Book for the 1975 IBM Tournament! Detailing scores in duplicate in each round (All 15 rounds) for each of Lombardy's Games. Most score sheets are signed at the bottom by both Lombardy, though some are signed ONLY by Lombardy. Ink paper used to duplicate the results is still sitting between the two copies of round 15. Cover is signed.

(Note: IBM 1974 had a field of sixteen contestants. Vlastimil Jansa, Vladimir Borisovich Tukmakov and Borislav Ivkov vying for first with scores of 10 of 15. A full point behind was Zoltan Ribli. In fifth was Hans Ree at 8 1/2. Sixth and seventh was shared with Efim Geller and Dragoljub Velimirovic half point behind. Another shared place with Istvan Csom and Kick Langeweg whom captured eight and ninth. In sole tenth was Albin Planinc a half point behind them at 7. Eleventh through thirteenth was Jan Timman, William Lombardy and Gennadi Borisovich Sosonko each with 6 1/2.) US $750

3) Copies of Chess Review, Sept. 1938 and L’Echiquier Revue D’Echecs, 1935, both signed by Lombardy US $450 each

4) Souvenir Box, Commemorative of the Philippine International Chess Tournament October/November 1973. It was opened formally by President Ferdinand Marco with Bobby Fischer, World Champion!

It has 14 signatures – among them are Bent Larsen, Svetozar Gligoric, Borislav Ivkov, Lubomir Kavalek, Ljubomir Ljubojevic, Miguel Quinteros and Eugene Torre. US $450

5) Copy of Snatched Opportunities on the Chessboard by William Lombardy with signed inscription US $325

6) Lot of 9 postcards as souvenirs from various chess tournaments as collected and signed by Chess Grand Master William Lombardy.

Of particular interest are two from 1968 on which he expresses disdain for the United Chess Federation, its politics and, oddly, US Chess Team Member Reshevsky(?). Fischer famously withdrew from the tournament despite a strong start due to his tournament environment demands not being met.

(I assume that the tournament referred to is Sousse 1967. This is how Sports Illustrated reported it:

Bobby Fischer walked out of the world international chess tournament held in Sousse, Tunisia the other day and then, pale and determined, reentered and walked out again. Otherwise, things went along as they usually do in the tournaments that he enters. That is, he fought with the officials, complained about the lights, objected to the noise, threatened to smash a news photographer's camera and, so far as the chess games were concerned, beat almost everyone around.

By the 10th round he had a comfortable lead over the 23 assorted national champions and chess masters in the Interzonal, playing chess as brilliantly as he has played at any time since he first won the U.S. championship 10 years ago. He beat Leonid Stein, the champion of the Soviet Union, for example, one of the toughest opponents he would have to face, and made it look as if anybody could do it just as easily.

He also protested about the glare from the glittering chandelier in the ballroom of the Sousse Palace Hotel, where the tournament was being held, and when the U.S. Ambassador, Francis Russell, came to lunch, Bobby would not allow even the Ambassador to take his picture—no favoritism. But he also won six games and lost none. With a start like that, how could he be beaten? You could see him going on and on, winning the Interzonal, winning the world championship—and complaining every step of his way into chess history.

And then Fischer suddenly 1) forfeited a game; 2) withdrew from the tournament; 3) left Sousse for Tunis, 80 miles away; 4) returned to Sousse and began playing brilliantly again; 5) forfeited a second game and left suddenly for Tunis again. He probably would have withdrawn a third time, but it was not necessary. The players and the officials beat him to it. They dropped him from the tournament.) US $250

7) Lombardy's Official Score Sheets (Player Copy) for two games (on three sheets) of the 1975 US Chess Championship, at which Lombardy tied with Benko for first place! The two games are a win against Milan Vukcevic and a loss to James Tarjan by overstepping the time limit. US $175

(The auction house has something wrong here. Browne won the tournament, Lombardy tied with Bisguier, Tarjan and Commons for places 6-9 and Benko was 14th)

8) Historic 1972 Commemorative Chess Medal Copper – Fischer-Spassky Limited 3200 – issued by The Icelandic Chess Federation. Designed and produced by Bardur Johannesson, Reykjavik. Made of copper and issued in a limited edition of 3200 copies US $100

9) Rare limited print book "Thoughts at Departure" by Maximilian Jacob Herzberger, German mathematician and physicist, inventor of the Superachromat Lens including a signed inscription by him dedicated to Chess Grandmaster William Lombardy

Privately printed by "Edith Herzberger" in a very limited number in 1964, very few copies produced. This one was obviously gifted to Grand Master Lombardy, it is just 20 pages long. This copy is in overall very fine condition, some marks from age and some from dust in storage. Pages appear pristine, binding perfect, some hard creases along the spine from having been read, top left corner is slightly bent. The paper on which the inscription was written along with Herzberger's signature was found folded and kept inside the book, it is in absolutely perfect condition. Hardly any, if any at all, discoloration from age, ink is unfaded and perfect. US $85

10) Historic 1956 Canada Open Chess Championship trophy. Inscribed as Canadian Open Chess Championship, John G. Prentice Trophy, 2nd Place, William Lombardy 1956

Trophy appears to be solid copper, in need of careful polish and cleaning. Presented as is to prevent any unintentional damage or wear.

Weighs approximately 14 oz, 6 inches in diameter, 4 inches tall US $2750

11) Historic 7th World Student Chess Tournament trophy, 1st USA 1960

Solid marble slabs, plaque is metal and coin is metal but appears to be tarnished (no attempts have been made to clean or polish either to avoid damage)

Trophy weighs exactly 1 lb and 1 oz, measures about 4.5-5" tall and 3.5-4" wide US $3000
________

If you are interested in any of these, the seller is the Gotham Thrift Shop NYC, gothamthriftshopnyc on eBay.

**Hans Jung** · Monday, 27th November, 2017, 12:25 PM

Re: Chess Books at Auction

Who's paying attention? In thread above, that Wayne kindly provided, is listed 1956 Canadian Open trophy. Those old trophies are worth alot of money now. Keep an eye out in these threads for a future posting of the Canadian Championship trophy. Then we can have a grand debate on what we should do. (maybe also a great photo op)

**Hugh Brodie** · Monday, 27th November, 2017, 12:34 PM

Re: Chess Books at Auction

As far as I know - the Canadian Open (permanent) trophy still sits in the FQE office.

**Wayne Komer** · Monday, 27th November, 2017, 04:13 PM

Re: Chess Books at Auction

Chess Books at Auction

November 27, 2017

I supposed that the trophy that Lombardy won was a miniature of the one in possession of the FQE.

I cannot attach a photo on ChessTalk in its present state but the link to the auction site is:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HISTORIC-19....c100033.m2042

If someone can extract the photo and post it in this thread, it would be much appreciated. I cannot seem to do it.

**Vlad Drkulec** · Monday, 27th November, 2017, 05:44 PM

Re: Chess Books at Auction

Originally posted by Wayne Komer View Post

Chess Books at Auction

November 27, 2017

I supposed that the trophy that Lombardy won was a miniature of the one in possession of the FQE.

I cannot attach a photo on ChessTalk in its present state but the link to the auction site is:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HISTORIC-19....c100033.m2042

If someone can extract the photo and post it in this thread, it would be much appreciated. I cannot seem to do it.

Ironic that the seller will not ship to Canada where the trophy might have some additional historical significance aside from the Lombardy connection.

**Vadim Tsypin** · Monday, 27th November, 2017, 06:03 PM

Re: Chess Books at Auction

Originally posted by Wayne Komer View Post

If someone can extract the photo and post it in this thread, it would be much appreciated. I cannot seem to do it.

Thanks Wayne for the link. Here's the photo:

**Hugh Brodie** · Monday, 27th November, 2017, 07:03 PM

Re: Chess Books at Auction

The trophy at the FQE office:

<img src="http://canbase.fqechecs.qc.ca/gifs/20150625_122711.jpg" border="0" alt="" />

If no photo appears, go to

http://canbase.fqechecs.qc.ca/gifs/20150625_122711.jpg

**Wayne Komer** · Monday, 19th February, 2018, 02:26 PM

Re: Chess Books at Auction

Chess Books at Auction

February 19, 2018

There is a program on television called Storage Wars.

When the rent is not paid on a storage locker for three months, the contents can be sold by auction for cash-only. Professional buyers visit storage facilities throughout the States and bid on these lockers. Before each locker is auctioned, the buyers are given five minutes to inspect the contents from the doorway, but may not enter the locker or touch any of the items.

After the day's auctions are completed, the winning bidders sort through the lockers estimating the prices they will set on the content.

Now, suppose you won your bid on a locker with dozens of closed boxes of books but you could not read any of the titles. If they were chess books, what would you do after?

Well, today, on eBay, an auction was announced, with a starting price of $4,500 for 94 boxes containing 3976 mint chess books. 20 of the boxes are full of Chess Life magazines.

The auction, with photos is at:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Chess-Books...8AAOSw9LlaihoH

The hitch is that there are multiple copies of each book. The two Keres books are quite collectible but I doubt whether 64 copies of The Romantic King's Gambit could ever be sold.

The second problem is that you must pick them all up from the storage unit located in Athens, Alabama!

I give below, the whole listing:

________

I have a storage unit located in Athens Alabama 35611 of Appx. Total 94 Boxes. Vintage mint/new paperback Chess Books Including 20 Boxes of Chess Life magazines. Buyer Pickup, from Storage Unit Only.

The list of new/mint vintage paperback chess books are:

1.The Complete Najdorf, John Nunn- 5 boxes x48 =240

2. The Road To The Top, Paul Keres- 2 boxes x63 =126

3. The Quest for Perfection, Paul Keres-6 boxes x55 =330

4. Chess Tactics for the Advanced Player, Yuri Averbakh-International Grandmaster-20 boxes x36 =720

5. Chess MiddleGame Planning, Peter Romanovsky- American Chess Promotions-2 boxes x62 =124

6. Dynamics of Chess Psychology, Cary Utterberg-Chess Digest- 6 boxes x64 =384

7. New Classical King's Indian, John Nunn-4 boxes x49 =196

8. The Romantic King's Gambit, Chess. A.E Santasler and Ken Smith,-1box 64 =64

9. Alekhine In Europe and Asia, John Donaldson, Intl.Chess Interprises- 28 boxes x64 =1,792

10. 20 full boxes - Chess Life-From 1990's and maybe 2000, 2001, 2002

Total: 94 boxes

3,976 new/mint vintage chess books
20 full boxes Chess Life

Chess Books at Auction

Chess Books at Auction

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